HB 593 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Public Libraries - Automated External Defibrillator Program (Raymono A. Russell Act)

HB 593 (the Raymono A. Russell Act) requires public library operators in Maryland to place an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a prominent, accessible location by January 1, 2026. Libraries must maintain the AED’s functionality and ensure a staff member trained in its use is present whenever the library is open to the public. The law specifically applies to public libraries (excluding school media programs) and grants limited immunity to libraries and trained individuals for AED-related actions. This replaces existing requirements for libraries under the Public Access AED Program.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Signed May 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Third - Public Libraries - Automated External Defibrillator Program (Raymono A. Russell Act) → Enrolled - Public Libraries - Automated External Defibrillator Program (Raymono A. Russell Act) · 3 edits · May 20, 2025

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enrolled for the Governor's signature, adding official proofreading and seal lines. Substantively, the bill was amended to repeal and reenact the existing AED definition without changes, while simultaneously adding a new section that cross-references the existing definition rather than restating it. These changes appear to be technical amendments to align the bill's structure with the existing Annotated Code of Maryland, ensuring consistency in how the AED is defined and applied to libraries.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on public libraries and automated external defibrillators, but the legislative text was modified to reference existing statutory definitions rather than duplicating them, likely to resolve conflicts or formatting issues in the code.

TECHNICAL

The bill was changed from a standalone repeal and reenactment to a hybrid approach that repeals and reenacts the main section without amendments while adding a new section that references the existing definition.

Official enrollment lines, including proofreader signatures and the Great Seal presentation text, were added to finalize the bill's status.

Redundant definitions and formatting inconsistencies were removed to align the bill text with the current Annotated Code of Maryland.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 17, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 22, 2025

How they voted

45–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 46

Mar 17, 2025

D Democratic33

33 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 20, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 614

executive

Apr 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Enrolled

lower

Apr 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 5, 2025

Introduced

House Concurs Senate Amendments

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 22, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (130-4-6)

house of delegates

Mar 17, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (45-0-1)

senate

Mar 12, 2025

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

First Reading Ways and Means

lower

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors